The Reason Behind Prince Harry and Meghan's Effort to Trademark Their Foundation

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, recently stepped down as working royals, deciding to put their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles on hold. Following this decision, they made efforts to rebrand their charitable foundation, which raises the question of the reasons behind their desire to trademark it.

Rebranding the Sussexes' Foundation

Legally, the Sussexes cannot use the term 'Royal' in many countries. This has led to the need for a complete rebranding process. While the reasons for their rebranding are speculative, it is evident that they are considering the various implications of retaining the old title.

Why Not Use 'Sussex Royal'?

Some sources have cited Fox News as the primary reference for suggesting that the Sussexes intended to use the 'Sussex Royal' title for profit. This claim, however, is based on the misleading source of The Daily Mail. No official announcement has been made regarding this, and the official stance is that 'Sussex Royal' is the working title of their charitable foundation, not a profit-making venture.

A Charitable Foundation's Purpose

Royals and other high-profile individuals often establish charitable foundations that operate independently of their personal financial interests. For instance, it is well-known that Donald Trump learned the value of not using charitable foundations as personal piggybanks through an expensive lesson worth $2 million. This experience underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency of such organizations.

The Sussexes' charitable foundation is registered with the Charity Commission in the UK and is subject to UK law. All UK charities undergo rigorous audits, with these audit results being available in the public domain. Visitors can review the accounts of other well-known royal charities, such as those of Prince Charles and the Cambridges (William and Catherine), which are transparent and have made a significant impact on people's lives.

Prince Harry has indeed applied for trademark protection for his brand. This is a common practice for all charities to protect their names and prevent unauthorized use. Interestingly, Harry applied for the same trademark protection as William and Catherine have done for theirs, covering goods and services classes 16, 25, 35, 36, 41, and 45.

Despite the rebranding efforts, the Sussexes' foundation will remain an effective vehicle for supporting the issues and causes they are passionate about. The rebranding process ensures that their foundation will be recognized and respected for its charitable work rather than its association with royal titles.